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Main dining room - Acanto, Chicago, IL

Acanto

4.8
4.8
3850 Reviews
$31 to $50
Italian

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 36 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Charming
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for fine wines
Across from Millennium park and along Chicago’s Cultural Mile, Acanto Restaurant + Wine Bar is a treasured destination for those who appreciate authentic and approachable Italian food in a conversation-friendly atmosphere. Acanto serves seasonally-driven Italian cuisine from both regions of Italy utilizing artisanal ingredients from Midwest farmers and producers. Acanto boasts one of the most lauded wine programs in the US, including a 3-star rating by World of Fine Wine and a two-glass “Best of Excellence” rating by Wine Spectator. The libations menu is rounded out by Italian classics including spritzes and negronis along with craft cocktails, beer, and spirits.

The word Acanto is the Italian translation of Acanthus, the flowery leaf featured prominently in Roman architecture. Famed architect Louis Sullivan used Acanthus in his distinctive terra cotta ornamentation found on the facade of the historically-landmarked building that houses Acanto.

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Wine Bar
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Mon–Wed 11:00 am–9:00 pm Thu 11:00 am–10:00 pm Fri 11:00 am–11:00 pm Sat 4:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (312) 578-0763
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Troy Jorge
  • Private party facilities
    The intimate dining room is ideal for rehearsal dinners, engagement celebrations, showers and post-wedding brunches, while Acanto’s patio on Michigan Avenue is a dream setting for cocktails. Up to 75 (seated) or 100 (cocktail) guests, inclusive of outdoor space.
  • Neighbourhood
    Downtown / Loop
  • Cross Street
    Between Madison St. and Monroe St. across from Millenium Park.
  • Parking details
    The nearest self-park garage is the Grant Park North Garage. Enter from Michigan between Randolph and Monroe Streets. Exit at the far southwest of the garage (the green section); the exit is steps from our front door. We offer a discounted parking rate for the Grant Park North Garage. Every day, enjoy a $13 rate for parking for up to 12 hours. Please see our host stand for parking discount vouchers.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • NYE 4-Course Prix Fixe Menu

    US$140.00 per person

    Dec 31, 2024 only
    Join us this New Year's Eve for a celebratory $140 4-course prix fixe menu, optional sommelier selected wine pairings and complimentary bubbles toast. Delight in the warmth of candlelight as you savor each exquisite dish, creating unforgettable moments in the heart of the city. Buon Capodanno! REGULAR MENU NOT AVAILABLE
    NYE 4-Course Prix Fixe Menu photo
  • Learn to Speak Italian Wine Class

    US$35.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    WELCOME BACK TO (WINE) SCHOOL! Our crowd-favorite series of wine classes continues. Enjoy a wine tasting and fascinating lecture with Acanto’s Wine Director Torrence O’Haire, and earn new confidence in the field of Italian wine! TASTING OF FOUR WINES | WEDNESDAYS FROM 5:30-6:30PM | $35-55 **View full class schedule at https://www.acantochicago.com/learn-to-speak-italian-wine
    Learn to Speak Italian Wine Class photo

What 3,850 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Acanto shines with "authentic Italian" cuisine, a "perfect location" on Michigan Avenue, and a "welcoming atmosphere." Guests rave about the "outstanding service," extensive wine list, and dishes like "pistachio gnocchi" and "mushroom pappardelle." The cozy, elegant setting makes it ideal for dates and gatherings, despite occasional noise.

3,850 Reviews
  1. TJ

    Chicago

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was outstanding. Only glitch in the service was they never cleared away the appetizer plates.

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  2. Douglas

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful vibes. Great food. Lovely experience. We would go back again and again.

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  3. Todd

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Phenomenal night! Ambience was just perfect for date night with my wife! Food was terrific. Staff was kind and helpful and just wonderful. Alex was the best! Thank you Thank you Thank you!

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  4. Julie

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 13, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Ambience and service is fabulous- not impressed with the food.

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  5. Linda

    VIP

    Alabama

    16 reviews

    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on December 13, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This is one of our favorite restaurants—and we love taking out-of-towners here. It just makes for a great Chicago experience. The ambiance is lovely—beautiful setting with candlelight, and bustling but still conversation friendly. The wine is fabulous, and the food is good—the branzino is always terrific (and I ordinarily don’t like fish that much). Service is always top-flight, too.

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  6. Bob

    VIP

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 13, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
     Dining at Aconto feels like an escape to Europe at a wonderful, warm restaurant with outstanding food and service—-without the 8 hour flight.

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  7. Ellen

    VIP

    Greensboro

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 12, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    I love Acanto, they have the best chicken piccata I have ever had!

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  8. Jennifer

    VIP

    Chicago

    23 reviews

    5.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on December 11, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Love it - so charming, so yummy! Such a great place for locals, with minimal tourists. I’m grateful for this cozy little spot.

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  9. Susan

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 11, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Acanto has a nice happy hour but we had to request the menu from the waiter - it seems they should tell diners about the specials, and instead it felt like they did not want to provide that information unless you already knew about it. Also, our reservation was for 4:15 and they said we could absolutely not change it to 4:45 as they were fully booked. But it was pretty empty when we arrived and still a lot of availability when we left. I recommend they have a bit more flexibility in reservation scheduling. We even mentioned we would be leaving by 6 due to theater reservations, so lingering would not have been a concern.

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  10. James

    Washington DC

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on December 9, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    For several years we have traveled from the East Coast to Chicago to Acanto to celebrate birthdays and our anniversary. Acanto is that kind of destination for dining with staff and managers who make dinner seem like you are with family (who know how to cook great food). Billy and Pepper and especially Hannah make the journey well worth while. Our favorite.

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FAQs

Acanto offers delivery in partnership with Chow Now. Acanto also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (312) 578-0763.

Acanto is rated 4.8 stars by 3850 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 36 times today
Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Acanto

18 South Michigan, Chicago, IL 60603

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Between Madison St. and Monroe St. across from Millenium Park.
  • Neighbourhood
    Downtown / Loop
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Mon–Wed 11:00 am–9:00 pm Thu 11:00 am–10:00 pm Fri 11:00 am–11:00 pm Sat 4:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Wine Bar
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    The nearest self-park garage is the Grant Park North Garage. Enter from Michigan between Randolph and Monroe Streets. Exit at the far southwest of the garage (the green section); the exit is steps from our front door. We offer a discounted parking rate for the Grant Park North Garage. Every day, enjoy a $13 rate for parking for up to 12 hours. Please see our host stand for parking discount vouchers.
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Troy Jorge
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (312) 578-0763
  • Private party facilities
    The intimate dining room is ideal for rehearsal dinners, engagement celebrations, showers and post-wedding brunches, while Acanto’s patio on Michigan Avenue is a dream setting for cocktails. Up to 75 (seated) or 100 (cocktail) guests, inclusive of outdoor space.
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